Printing mechanism



July 4, 1933'. F. M. CARROLL PRINTING MECHANISM Filed June 26, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l July 4, 1933. F. M. CARROLL PRINTING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 26, 1950 anventoz July 4, 1933. F. M. CARROLL 1,916,964

PRINTING MECHANISM Filed June 26, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIGA.

swuemtoz 33a a t tom July 4, 1933. CARRQLL 1,916,964

PRINTING MECHANISM Filed June 26, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented July 4, 1933 UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE FRED M. CARROLL, OF YONKERS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE TABULATING MACHINE COMPANY, OF ENDICOTT, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY PRINTING MECHANISM Application filed June 26, 1930. Serial No. 463,900.

This invention relates to rotary printing machines and more particularly to a rotary printing drum to be used in con unction with accounting machines and the like.

The invention is applicable to the type of rotary alphabet printing tabulator shown in Patent No. 1,726,539, issued to applicant September 3, 1929. The drum disclosed in the patent carries a plurality of rows of pivoted t pe hammers on each of which are disposed a nuniber of type. As the drum rotates these type carriers reach a predetermined printing position successively and suitable call mechanism located adjacent to the drum may be actuated to rotate any type carrier about its pivot when it reaches printing position and cause one of its type to strike a paper carrying platen. Each type carrier when it is in printing position, may print one of several characters and the platen carriage is shifted to different positions to select the particular type which is to print.

The above mentioned patent discloses a call mechanism which acts directly upon the type carrier to swing it about its pivot at a substantially uniform rate of speed so that the path of travel describes an approximate epicycloid. lVith such arrangement the velocity of the type and consequently the 31 weight of impression upon the platen will be constant for a given speed of rotation of the drum. cause a proportionate increase in the velocity of the type and weight of impression. Where a drum is designed to operate at considerably greater speed, it is necessary, in order to obtain a normal printing impression, to so change the geometrical proportion of the type carrier as to render its use inconvenient in a machine where the platen is located in close proximity to the printing drum.

According to the present invention a form of printing drum is contemplated in which the call mechanism acts to trip the type carriers through an intermediate member. This member actuates the type carrier through a camming surface so designed as to accelerate the type as it swings against the platen.

This camming surface lends itself to variations in outline so that for machines designed to operate at greatly different speeds, it requires only a diflerence in the design of the camming surface to produce the same angular velocity and weight of impression in both cases.

An increase in rotative speed will;

The principal object of the invention is to provide in an accounting machine a rotary printing drum of new and improved construction and arrangement of parts to the end that printing on machines of this type may be speed-ed up and that the printing may be effected with clear, uniform impressions.

Another object is to provide a rotary printing drum in which pivoted type carriers are adapted to rotate about their pivots in the same direction in which the drum is revolving and with accelerated velocity.

Another object is to provide a printing drum of compact, space conserving structure in which the operating mechanism is contained within the drum so that the limiting dimension of the device is the outer circumference of the drum.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a rotary printing drum in which the weight of impression of the type is not materially ailccted by changes in speed of rotation of the drum. 1 i

Various other objects and advantages of my invention will be obvious from the following particular dcscription of one form of mechanism embodying the invention or from an inspection of the accompanying drawings; and the invention also constitutes certain new and novel features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the device showing the driving connections.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the device taken on a plane parallel to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is-an enlarged position view of one of the type carriers and the associated call mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a position view of the call mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a plan section of several call units taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

General assembly Referring to the drawings (Figs. 1, 2 and 4) printing ring 10 comprises a head 11 at one end which carries slotted bars 12 and a removable head 13 at the other end. Head 11 has secured thereto a gear 14 and is mounted for rotation upolu. a bearing 15 of suitable length which bearing is journalled in thefixed frame 16 of the machine. Head 13 has secured internallythereto a gear 17 and is mounted for rotation upon a stud 18 coaxial with bearing 15. Rotation is imparted to ring 10 through gear 14 which is suitably geared to the machine proper so as to turn the ringone revolution for each cycle of operation of the machine.

Within the ring 10 is contained the call mechanism including end plates 19 and 20 connected by cross plates 21. This structure is supported at one end by bearing 15 and at the other end by stud 18 which in turn is carried b a frame 22 supported upon rods 23 slidab e in fixed bearings 24 of the machine. A pin '25 passes through stud 18 and the hub of frame 22 to hold the call mechanism stationary while the ring 10 rotates thereabout. For purposes of assembly the call mechanism may be moved axially with respect to ring 10 in the following manner:

Upon removal of a pin 26, frame 22 and rods 23 may be slid horizontally to the right as viewed in Fig. 4 carrying therewith head 13 and the entire call mechanism. Rods 23 are of sufiicient length to permit the complete removal of the interior mechanism, while the connecting cables 27 have sufiicient slack at their left to permit movement to the right. In this position the call mechanism is supported upon stud 18 while the printing ring 10 is supported by bearing 15. To reassemble the device, frame 22 is moved to the left and pin 26 inserted to lock the frame in position. A spring pressed locating pin 28 cooperates with a suitable opening in the end of ring 10 to obtain the correct angular relationship between the arts and to serve as a means of driving hea 13 when gear 14 and head 11 are rotated.

Gall mechanism The cross plates 21 are slotted to receive individual plates 30, one for each column of type carriers, arranged as shown in Fig. 6 so that adjacent plates are associated with every fourth column of carriers. The plates 30 are arranged in tiers and each tier is offset axially from the others the distance between two columns of type carriers. When the call mechanism has been withdrawn from within the printing ring, the individual plates 30 maybe slid into position along appriate slots in bars 21 until they abut cross bars 31. Retaining lugs 32 may then be moved along a slot 33 (Fig. 6) into position to hold plate 30 against bar 31. The lugs may then be locked in position by suitable screws as shown.

Four operating shafts 33 have their ends journalled in end plates 19 and 20 and are adapted to make one revolution for each machine cycle or revolution of rin 10. Each shaft 33 carries a gear 34 attac ed thereto near the inner face of plate 20, the two shafts 33 to the right in Fig. 1 being driven in a counterclockwise direction through gearing 35 by a gear 36 in mesh with gear 17. The two shafts 33 to the left are driven in a clockwise direction by gearing generally designated 37, driven by a gear 38 also in mesh with gear 17. Since end plate 20 is held stationary the turning of printing ring 10 together with the attached gear 17 in a clockwisedirection rotates the various enmeshed gears in the directions indicated by the arrows (Fig. 1). Keyed upon each shaft 33 are a plurality of driving ratchets 39 and a plurality of restoring cams 40, one for each plate 30. I

Mounted upon each plate 30 is a magnet 41 having an armature 42 pivoted ina conventional manner (see Figs. 2, 3 and 5). Secured to the upper side of the armature is an angle plate 43 having an opening therein to receive a pin 44 which is secured to a pawl 45 pivoted at 46 upon a member 47 which in turn is pivoted upon a stud 48. A spring 49 extends between pawl 45 and member 47 and tends to hold the parts in normal position as shown in Fig. 2 wherein armature 42 is held in its upper position away from magnet 41; and member 47 is restrained against clockwise movement by a spring pressed detent 50.

Pawl 45 lies in the plane of continually running driving ratchet 39 whose teeth are adapted to pass the free end of the pawl in succession during the interval when magnet 41 may be energized. Energization of magnet 41 rocks the pawl 45 into engagement with ratchet 39 as shown in Fig. 3 causing member 47 to be rocked clockwise about its pivot. The lower end of member 47 carries a spring pressed by-pass lever 51 whose heel normally abuts a pivoted lever 52. The clockwise rotation of member 47 causes the heel of bypass 51 to exert a camming action against lever 52 to rock the lever clockwise and clevate a pin 53 resting on its upper edge, which in turn elevates an interposer 54 into the path of the hammer mechanism carried by the printing ring 10. Continued rotation of member 47 will swing by-pass 51 clear of lever 52 permitting said lever to be instantaneously restored without effecting member 47 These parts are shown in these positions in Fig. 5. The member 47 is held in its clockwise position by engagement of its lower end in a notch in detent 50 as shown. The parts are so shaped that pawl 45 is disengaged from ratchet 39 under the influence of spring 49.

When all the ratchet teeth have passed the end of pawl 45, cam 40 will engage a bell crank 55 whose one arm is seated in a suitable notch in member 47. The clockwise rocking of the bell crank rocks member 47 in a counterclockwise direction to its normal position where it is retained by detent 50. At this time the concentric portion of ratchet 39 is in cooperation with pawl 45, as may be noted in Fig. 5, so that if the armature 42 has not already been restored to its upper position the elevating of pivot 46, during the restoration of member 47, will raise pin 44 and consequently cause the positive restoration of the armature.

Current may be supplied to the magnets 41 through the cables 27 (Fig. 4) which branch into individual wires in the conduits 56. Each wire may be connected to a contact blade 57 secured to bar 31. A connection 58 mounted on and insulated from plate 30 is adapted to engage the blade 57 when the unit is inserted and is wired to the magnet 41. A second connection 58 is located beside the first and connects the return wire from the magnet 41 to asecond blade 57 which is connected to a common strip 59.

Prin ting ring The operation of the type carriers to effect printing will now be described. The print ing ring rotates in synchronism with the driving ratchets 39 and as the ratchet teeth successively pass the end of pawl 45, the rows of type carriers 61 successively pass the interposer 54 in the same order. The particular type carrier to be selected for operation depends upon the time of operation of magnet 41, and the particular selection of the type on the carrier 61 depends upon the position of platen 60 (Fig. The mechanisms and circuits involved in the selection of the magnets 41 and the. positioning of platen 60 are fully disclosed in the patent referred to and since they form no part of the present invention need not be further explained here.

Each bar 12 is slotted to receive a plurality of type carriers 61 pivoted upon a rod 62 which type carriers are normally latched in the positions in which they appear in Fig. 2, by camming latches 63 pivoted on rods 64. Individual springs 65 urge the latches 63 in a counterclockwise direction against stop rods 66. When in such position the carrier 61 rests against a resilient cushion 67, and a. depending arm 68 thereof is latched against a beveled end of latch 63 as shown. This serves to hold the carrier in position during rotation of ring 10. Each bar 12 carries a restoring plate 69 adjacent to the call mechanism for the purpose of returning interposers 54 to their lower position after they have caused the operation of the type carriers. The time of operation of magnet 41 is such that interposer 54 is moved outwardly in the interval following the passage of the restoring plate 69 associated with the preceding row of carriers and preceding the arrival of the tail of the latch 63 in line with the interposer.

The tail of latch 63 subsequently strikes the interposer 54, rapidly rocking the latch in a clockwise direction as the ring 10 continues in its rotation. The upper edge of latch 63 is provided with a cam surface 70 which cooperates with an arm 71 of the carrier to swing the carrier rapidly in a clockwise direction as the arm 68 is unlatched. The slope of cam surface 70 is so selected that it imparts to the carrier 61 an accelerated angular velocity, as the entire ring rotates, to move the carrier toward the platen 60.

When in the extreme right hand dotted line position (Fig. 3) the carrier 61 strikes against the platen with a sharp blow and rebounds instantly. It is quite obvious that the amount of acceleration and the weight of blow desired, can readily be obtained by altering the contour of cam surface 70.

The rebound of carrier 61 swings the same in a counterclockwise direction as it passes beneath platen 60. In the meantime latch 63 has been returned by its spring 65 so that the carrier, upon striking the cushion 67, swings its arm 68 over the end of the latch and remains in such position until the particular type carrier is again operated. This immediate latching of the carrier prevents chattering against the cushion due to the speed at which it strikes it.

Immediately after the interposer 54 has tripped the latch 63, the restoring plate 69 engages the interposer and forces it downwardly, being permitted to do so by the flexible construction of bypass 51.

While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a single modification, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention therefore to be limited only as i11- dicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a printing machine, type members supported both for movement in a circumferential path and for movement in the same direction in a supplemental pivotal striking path, and means for selectively calling one or more of said members into movement in their striking paths.

2. In a printing machine, a continually rotating element, type members circumferentially disposed in a single row thereon, and selectively controlled camming devices carried by said rotating element adapted to coact with said type members to move one of said members toward a platen when said member occupies a predetermined position.

3. In a printing machine, a rotatable element, a type carrying lever on said element, tripping means for actuating said lever and means carried by said rotatable element for restoring said tripping means.

4. In a printing machine, a rotatable element, a type carrying lever on said element, means for actuating said type carrying lever in the direction of rotation of said rotatable element and means for tripping said actuating means. 4

5. In a printing machine, a rotatable element, a type lever carried thereby, actuating means for said lever also carried by said element, and means operative as an incident to the operation of said actuating means for controlling the speed of operation of said lever. y

6. In a printing machine, a rotatable ring, type levers carried by said ring, devices for actuating said type levers carried by said ring and tripping means located within said ring and radially movable in relation thereto for I tripping said actuating devices.

7. In a printing machine, the combination with a rotatable element of a type lever pivoted on said element, a platen, means for rocking said lever against said platen to effect printing, and .spring pressed latching means for securing said lever to said element upon the rebound of said lever from the platen.

8. In a printing machine, a continually running rotatable element, type levers carried thereby, a continually running actuator driven by said rotatable element and located internally thereof, tripping mechanism adapted to be operated by said actuator and means effective upon the operation of said tripping mechanism for coupling said levers to said continually running actuator for operation.

9. In a printing machine, in combination, a supporting element, a type member carried thereby, means for moving said element and thereby advancing a type member first towards printing position and then away from such position, a latch carried by said element for locking said type member at all times, means for actuating said latch to unlock and actuate the type member to displace the same with respect to its movable support when it is adjacent to its printing position to thereby effect printing, said latch being adapted to lock the type member upon its rebound from printing position.

10. In a printing machine, a rotatable element, a plurality of type members circumfcrentially arranged on said element, a platen supported adjacent to said element, an interposer adapted to trip any of said members while the latter is passing the platen, a continually running actuator and coupling means for connecting said interposer to said actuator for positive operation of said interposer by said actuator.

11. In a printing machine, a continually running rotatable element, type levers carried thereby, a continually running actuator located internally thereof, tripping mechanism for said type levers also located internally of said element and means for coupling said tripping mechanism and said actuator for positively controlling the operation of said type levers.

12. In a machine of the class described having a printing cylinder provided with circumferential columns of type elements, a drum located within said cylinder and provided with a plurality of actuating devices one for each column of type elementssaid devices being normally located adjacent to their corresponding columns of elements and means for effecting relative axial movement between said cylinder and said drum to change the relative location of said actuating devices and said columns of type elements.

13. In a printing machine having a rotatable cylinder provided with columns of type elements, actuating mechanism for said type elements insertible within said cylinder and comprising a plurality of actuating units on each of a plurality of shafts, the units on each shaft being in staggered relationship to the units on the other shafts.

14. The invention set forth in claim 13 in which each of said actuating units is alleged with one of said columns of type elements.

15. In a printing machine a rotatable cylinder, type levers carried by said cylinder, devices for actuating said type levers and carried by said cylinder and tripping means located within said cylinder for controlling the operation of said actuating devices.

16. In a printing machine having a rotatable cylinder, type elements carried by said cylinder and operating elements located Within said cylinder for automatically causing printing operation of said type elements during the rotation of said cylinder.

17. In a printing machine a rotatable cylinder, type levers carried thereby, devices carried by said cylinder for actuating said type levers and magnetically controlled tripping means for controlling the operation of said actuating devices.

18. In a printing machine a rotatable ring carrying a plurality of type elements, a rotatable actuator driven in synchronism with said ring and having a plurality of actuating elements thereon one for each of said type elements, and means for connecting one of said actuating elements and said type elements for operation whereby the corresponding type element will be actuated.

In testimony whereof I hereto aflix my signature.

FRED M. CARROLL.

CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1.916,)64. July 4, 1933.

FRED M. CARROLL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 96, claim 14, for "alleged" read "aligned"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 24th day of October, A. D. 1933.

F. M. Hopkins (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

